Classically trained Detroit arranger Dale Warren first made his mark at Motown and, from 1969 till 1974, penned the majority of the string scores emanating from Stax Records. While writing charts for numerous hit artists, Warren took under his wing the Ditalians, an obscure Cincinnati soul aggregation. He rechristened them 24-Carat Black and composed and produced this 1973 opus about life in the inner city. Featuring the group’s searing gospel-imbued vocals and solidly funky instrumental work alongside classical touches, Ghetto: Misfortune’s Wealth fell on largely deaf ears when released, only to find its grooves sampled years later by such hip-hop artists as Heal, Young Disciples, and Digable Planets. The compact disc reissue of this long-out-of-print album serves as a tribute to the genius of its recently deceased creator.